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Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2026

Music and highlights from the annual Royal Philharmonic Society Awards given last night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, introduced for Radio 3 by Sarah Walker.

Sarah Walker guides us through highlights from last night's annual Royal Philharmonic Society Awards given at the Queen Elizabeth Hall - the "biggest night in UK classical music" - and eavesdrops on events to bring us both music and contributions from this year's winners.

In a ceremony introduced by Radio 3's own Georgia Mann and Petroc Trelawny, the 2026 RPS Awards celebrate the creativity, talent and achievements of some of the most gifted and creative talents in classical music today. Paying tribute to achievements in the world of composition and conducting, through opera and music theatre, to orchestral and ensemble playing - as well as solo instrumentalists and singers - the awards recognise contributions to musical life by both international performers and the often unsung heroes who bring music-making into the nation's communities and celebrate the many other outstanding classical musical highlights from the past twelve months.

12 days left to listen

2 hours, 14 minutes

Last on

Fri 13 Mar 202619:30
BBC Radio 3

Music Played

  • James Murphy

    The stars come out

    Performer: Christopher Glynn. Singer: Tia Radix-Callixte. Singer: Niamh O'Sullivan. Singer: Lotte Betts-Dean.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58: IV - Finale (presto non tanto)

    Performer: Ethan Loch.

  • Tom Lehrer

    Poisoning Pigeons in the Park

    Singer: Hugh Cutting. Performer: Audrey Hyland.
    • Refound.
    • Linn Records.
    • 20.

  • Pauline Viardot

    6 Mélodies et une havanaise: No. 6 Havanaise

    Performer: Matilda Lloyd. Performer: Ruth Rogers. Performer: Jessica Coleman. Performer: Christine Anderson. Performer: Katherine Jenkinson.

  • Frederick Delius

    6 Partsongs, RT IV No. 1: No. 4, Sonnenscheinlied

    Choir: The Carice Singers. Conductor: George Parris.
    • Delius & Bax: Choral Music.
    • Naxos.
    • 6.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Elijah: Part 1 - Thanks be to God

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Choir: Edinburgh Festival Chorus. Conductor: Thomas Søndergård.

  • Arthur Sullivan

    The Long Day Closes

    Choir: Tenebrae. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • A Prayer for Deliverance.
    • Signum Records.
    • 10.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Daphnis et Chloé, M. 57, Part 3: Lever du jour - Daphnis cherche pour Chloé et il rêve d'elle

    Conductor: Vladimir Jurowski. Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Choir: London Philharmonic Choir.
    • Vladimir Jurowski: 10 Years.
    • London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • 110.

  • George Gershwin

    Porgy and Bess: Summertime

    Performer: Aron Goldin. Singer: Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha.
    • Masabane Cecilia.
    • Rubicon.
    • 10.

  • Franz Lehár

    The Merry Widow: Act 2, No. 7 Es lebt eine Vilja (Vilja-lied)

    Singer: Louise Alder. Choir: BBC Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Elim Chan.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    2 Pieces Op.9 for piano [left hand] - no.2; Nocturne in D flat major

    Performer: Nicholas McCarthy.

  • Edward Elgar

    Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61: I. Allegro

    Performer: Vilde Frang. Conductor: Robin Ticciati. Orchestra: German Symphony Orchestra Berlin.
    • Elgar: Violin Concerto, Op. 61.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 1.

  • Philip Allen Sparke

    Sambezi

    Performer: Peter Moore. Performer: Tredegar Band. Conductor: Ian Porthouse.
    • Shift.
    • Chandos Records Ltd.
    • 10.

  • Maurice Ravel

    Rapsodie espagnole, M. 54: II. Malagueña

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Domingo Hindoyan.
    • Iberia.
    • Onyx Classics.
    • 6.

  • Richard Rodgers

    Carousel: No. 17, Entr'acte

    Conductor: John Wilson. Orchestra: Sinfonia of London.
    • Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel Act 2 No. 17, Entr’acte.
    • Chandos.
    • 101.

Broadcast

  • Fri 13 Mar 202619:30
    BBC Radio 3